Clinton Township rocker Jeff Gutt came in second place Thursday night on Fox’s “The X Factor” singing competition, narrowly missing out on a $1 million recording contract with Sony Music.

The 37-year-old single father -- who grew up in St. Clair County’s Marine City and has been a regular musical presence in many Macomb County bars -- lost to the Florida duo Alex & Sierra, based on fan voting.

But Gutt (rhymes with boot) remained upbeat as he was interviewed after the winners were announced.

“I owe you guys everything,” he said of the “X Factor” supporting staff. “I’m not going to give up.”

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The show began with an ensemble of Alex & Sierra, Gutt and third-place finisher, Chicago’s Carlito, performing a version of U2’s “One.”

Later, the contestants individually sang various Christmas songs with Gutt opting for a stirring version of “O Holy Night.”

He grew teary eyed during a video package of family and friends congratulating him for making it to the finals.

The segment featured comments from his wrestling coach, and his parents, Adele and Greg. But he broke down when his young son Talon said called him the “best dad ever” and added: “I want to be just like you.”

Gutt -- who auditioned for the show last year but did not advance -- was praised by others on “The X Factor,” including the show’s founder and one of the judges, Simon Cowell.

“I can’t imagine a record company not signing you,” Cowell said Wednesday night.

Before the winner was announced, Kelly Rowland, the former Destiny’s Child star who served as Gutt’s mentor, said she learned as much from Gutt as he learned from her.

“Jeff Gutt is already a winner in my eyes,” she said.

Back in Macomb County, members of his cover band, Punch, watched the show at Detroit Pub in Clinton Township while many more took in the telecast at home.

Longtime friend Jennifer Hawk of Harrison Township jokingly demanded a recount of the fan voting. But she said win or lose, advancing to the finals may give Gutt the confidence and credibility to go on to enjoy a successful career in show business.

“It doesn’t matter that he didn’t win first place, he made it to the end and millions of people know what we all have known for a long time -- it’s Jeff’s time and he will be a huge star,” Hawk said.

Gutt has performed in many bars and nightclubs in Macomb County including Little Lorraine’s, Tin Fish, Johnny G’s, and the now-closed Hayloft rock bar in downtown Mount Clemens.

That’s where he met the owner, longtime local rock singer Ronny Masters, and the two began performing together in the late 1990s.

“He started living at my house and then joined my band as a bass player,” Masters said. “He was the nicest kid, literally. I’d get up in the morning and all of the sheets were folded, all of the clothes were folded.”

Masters said Gutt landed a record contract in the 2000s and moved out to Los Angeles. Although the deal eventually fell through, Masters said the experience added to Gutt’s resolve to come back home, regroup artistically, and give it another shot.

Masters said despite now winning, he felt Gutt was the best singer in the show.

“I compare him to Daughtry from ‘American Idol,’ a real good true rock singer. I think Jeff Gutt will be a Detroit icon -- he has that much range and presence.”